Production of sugarcane and tropical grasses as a renewable energy source. Third quarterly report, December 1, 1977--February 28, 1978
Tropical grasses from Saccharum and related genera are being evaluated as candidates for intensive production of solar-dried biomass. Categories of candidate grasses include short, intermediate, and long-rotation crops for co-production with conventional food commodities. The hybrid forage grass Sordan 70A (Northrup King Seeds) is the outstanding short-rotation plant tested to date. Napier grass (var. Common Merker) is a promising intermediate-rotation crop which possibly may be exceeeded by several napier grass hybrids. Candidate clones from the Saccharum species sinense and spontaneum are being investigated for use in both long-rotation and minimum-tillage production regimes. Direct comparisons of sugarcane hybrids with napier grass indicate that sugarcane is an inferior candidate for tropical forage production. Sugarcane responded well to narrow row centers at 2 months but the response diminished at 4 and 6 months. For both crops, greater biomass yields were obtained from a single harvest at 6 months than from three 2-month harvests combined. The ability to convert early succulent growth to dry matter is a decisive feature for candidates to be handled as frequently-recut forages. Progress has been made in chemical growth regulation studies. A series of intergeneric hybrid clones are being imported for evaluation as biomass sources. Limited progress was made in biomasscandidate breeding. A revised work plan for year 2 is discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Center for Energy and Environment Research, Mayaguez (Puerto Rico)
- OSTI ID:
- 6150752
- Report Number(s):
- TID-29401
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Production of sugarcane and tropical grasses as a renewable energy source. First annual report, June 1, 1977-May 31, 1978
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